An adaptive container loading assembly is provided and includes a container forming assembly, a container shuttle assembly, and a product transport assembly. The container forming provides a plurality of varying sized containers. The container shuttle assembly is positioned adjacent to the container forming assembly and includes a linear synchronous motor guideway shaped in an endless loop, and a plurality of transport vehicles moveable about the guideway, each transport vehicle a leading shuttle and a trailing shuttle spaced apart by a determined distance to accommodate and receive the plurality of varying sized containers. The product transport assembly is positioned adjacent the container shuttle assembly and includes a robot arm to position product in the plurality of varying sized containers.

A conveyance device can include a conveyance surface and a conveyance constraint. The conveyance surface can receive a container and advance the container along the conveyance pathway. The conveyance constraint can be positioned across the conveyance pathway and include an opening. The conveyance constraint can block containers having a width or height larger than the respective width or height of the opening.

A star wheel for a rotary packing machine, which includes a vertical shaft, a movable assembly with a frame fixed to said shaft, a plurality of pairs of arms, each arm is hinge mounted on the frame about an axis of rotation, an activation mechanism for each pair of arms, which activation mechanism moves the arms between an open position and a closed position, an adjustment mechanism, which moves the axis of rotation of each arm between two positions, and a locking mechanism, which locks the position of the axis of rotation, and a fixed cam.

A gripper including a receiving end and a locking end and an absorber coupled to at least one of the ends configured to dampen contact forces imparted on the gripper, wherein the receiving end is shaped to marry a container body.

Detecting, locating, identifying, engaging, and/or shifting objects in automated or semi-automated fashion as well as methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer-program products therefor. Embodiments used for shifting objects in automated or semi-automated fashion may be implemented in stationary environments, and/or in moving, e.g., in-transit, environments, and may be used to transfer, route, and/or organize objects based on their designated destinations. The embodiments may further be implemented in a logistics network, thereby increasing the efficiency and capacity of the logistics network, among other benefits.

A capping plant (10) for capping containers (100) made of thermoplastic material, comprising: a capping unit (11) of a rotating carousel type comprising a plurality of capping stations (111) and first guide means (14) arranged so as to contact a part of a tubular body (100a) of the containers (100) which is exposed towards an outside of the rotating carousel of the capping unit (11); a star-wheel (12) located downstream of the capping unit (11); an outfeed conveyor (13) located downstream of the star-wheel (12); a connection cross-member (17) between said first guide means (14) and the outfeed conveyor (13), the outfeed conveyor (13) being integrally constrained to a first portion (17a) of the connection cross-member (17) and the first guide means (14) being integrally constrained to a second portion (17b) of the connection cross-member (17); an actuating device (18) configured to adjust the height of said connection cross-member (17).

A conveyor system for grouping containers including a conveyor module configured to convey and meter a stream of containers of various dimensions a first star wheel and a second star wheel configured to move a plurality of first containers along a first travel path, wherein the first containers each have a first geometric center, and wherein the first travel path is defined by the geometric center of the first containers, and a third star wheel and a fourth star wheel configured to move a plurality of second containers along a second travel path, wherein the second containers each have a second geometric center, and wherein the second travel path is defined by the geometric center of the second containers, wherein the first travel path and the second travel path are substantially similar.

An unloading apparatus for horticultural products such as blueberries and the like, which are conveyed along a predefined advancement path by respective movement units includes at least one dispenser of pressurized fluid, which can be activated on command during the transit of each product in order to send a jet of the pressurized fluid toward the product and consequently cause its fall from the respective movement unit. The apparatus also includes at least one deflector screen arranged facing and proximate to the dispenser, on the opposite side with respect to the predefined trajectory in order to intercept the products struck by the jet. The screen is inclined so as to define, between its face directed toward the dispenser and a vertical plane that passes through the dispenser, a work angle one and ninety degrees configured for the optimum downward deflection of the products.

A conveyance device 1 that conveys articles, the conveyance device 1 including a circulation path 10 and movable modules 20 that are movable on the circulation path 10. A main container 31 on which an article can be placed and a pair of holding members 311, 312 able to move towards and away from each other are provided to some of the movable modules 20. The article is placed on the main container 31 and conveyed on the circulation path 10 while being held by the pair of holding members 311, 312.

The present invention relates to a retention device for a product which is compatible with a plurality of different shapes of products, within an industrial line for producing and processing products, comprising a frame with a receiving base which is intended to support the bottom of a product; a gripping means for a product comprising a set of pincers which is provided with two jaws which can be moved between a spaced-apart position and a closed-up position. Each jaw is mounted freely in terms of rotation about a pivot point and has a concave vertical shape in order to retain the product at least at one upper support location and at least at one lower support location. The invention also relates to a conveying installation for products within an industrial line for producing and processing products, comprising at least one retention device according to the invention.